The FILTHY GORGEOUSNESS is spreading!

I always love to read, talk with, or receive pics from clients who have been inspired to cultivate their own little inner FG designer.  And Im not just saying that to sound nice even though I actually don't mean it.  No, really, I actually DO mean it.  It invigorates my own personal creativity springs to hear about you all and to be able to share in your excitement when your latest projects turn out wonderfully!  So much so in fact, that I thought the resta yous might enjoy it as well.  So, here are some pics from Claire, clearly a gifted design ingenue.  Enjoy, be inspired and... eat your heart out Martha, ha!

-J

Hi Jonathan,

As promised here are some of the photos of  my Thanksgiving tableu.  My inspiration was the vintage bird I got from your shop.  It reminded me of Dutch Renaissance Tableu.  Renaissance meets California Style. Enjoy!!

Claire

These are pics of Claire's Thanksgiving Table... mmm mmm, delicious decoratin- yummy!

Check out her blending of textures- new, old, found, etc.  I mean, I almost forgot that we were going to be eating here its all so visually tasty!

 

Domes for days... I love a dome done right, don't you?  AND, I applaud creative boldness- which I would definitely say that this particular Thanksgiving dome is!  

I think this is a grrrrreat take on the classic cornucopia- a bird's nest with grape clusters spilling out- UGH!  I love, I die, and I love it all over again...!

My favorite shot!  Everything you need at a Thanksgiving feast- delightful design, (assuming you selected the right outfit), fancy fashion, 2 pieces of fruit and 2 big 'ol glasses for vodk- err, I mean, wine!  

-J

Everybody chant with me,

Tirzah, Tirzah, Tirzah... decorate for Christmas so Jonathan can post your pics already!!!!!!!!

-J

Beef stew for you.

One of my family's favorite easy dinners is beef stew. We grab those beef stew seasoning packets from the store and fill our bags with fresh vegetables and then head home! It is a simple dinner that is perfect for this time of year when the weather is cold. Just prepare and let it sit on the stove for hours so the meat can become tender. Then, add the fresh vegetables and about 45 minutes later you will have a delicious meal that will fill you up for days. (The flavor is even better the next day when you heat it up!)

- G

Bing bling-a-ling

I feel like some annoying Avon lady (not that Avon ladies are the only annoying people or even annoying for that matter, I mean I could have selected from a plethora of other favorites- telemarketers, the people from AT&T who call me like 6 thousand times a week to 'update' my listing information, door to door Mormon missionaries or Jehovah witnesses, those unfortunately unfortunate kids that get dropped off in downtown Walnut Creek and try to sell you things that you neither need or want but you have to give them something because you feel so guilty, the man on the corner who is wheel chair bound but manages to peddle his home made soaps in the freezing cold, or the never ending stream of soccer moms who've never even made a single purchase in my shop but manage to find me when they want a donation for their child's school's Holiday auction, the meter maid that always seems to be around when YOUR meter runs out- ALL of which are wonderful people, IM SURE OF IT, but just seem to bug you like a mosquito buzzing round your ear. Woooooh- hello tangent! Aaanywho, ) but I cant help myself. When I know of something good that is bound to enrich your life exponentially, I gots t'share! Luck you, I know I know. I've said it before, Ima giver (as evidenced by the mound of 'homemade soap' in my shower that is the size of a full grown hobbit). So, in that same spirit of giving and sharing and holiday goody goodness, here is yet another speciality that you just NEED!

I hope Im not stepping on any toes here (Michael, I know this is your area of expertise, but Im sure you'll support this). But, what you now need is your very own collection of John Wind bling bling to spice up your holiday, winter and every other type of wardrobe you got. Vintage inspired, classically stylish, not from Claires or Hot Topic, and NOT untouchably priced. Most of you know it, most of you have already bought a piece or two, and for those that haven't, you're really missing out. Price points under $20. makes for great gifts or mid-shopping-day-pick-me-ups, ha! Alright, Im done, you may close the door in my face now.

-J

i'm out on the road right now BUT...

I just logged on and saw/read Michael's post about UGGS... and, at the risk of being crushed 'neath the avalanche of emails that I will inevitably receive in response to this, I had to just say one thing- PREACH ON BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-J

“I’ve been gone for a minute now back with the jump off!”-Lil Kim

I apologize for the lack of posts recently. I moved and I was mourning the loss of my favorite city. I’ve moved on to bigger and better things, San Francisco will never be the same without me. (Ooops did I just say that…O well it’s the truth)

Before I go any further I need to discuss something that’s been bugging me.

UGGS

I thought everyone received the memo about NEVER wearing those things in public. I will admit I feel victim to the trend, but after I seen a photo of me in them, I never wore those things again. I’m beginning to notice more and more people wearing them on the streets. Please stop. I can’t believe the amount of beautiful people I see schlepping around town in Uggs.

Those things should only be worn to take out the trash or to the emergency room. God forbid you run into an ex while your wearing them. Do you want your ex to see you looking…comfortable? I would hope not.

And now I can exhale.

-M

All I want for Christmas is a set of ABS!

Methinks trainers that actually look like they are in shape themselves are just more inspiring, no?

FINALLY, he is officially here! Ladies and gents, I give you, Rance Hayes- Personal Trainer and fitness extraordinaire!!!


My name is Rance Hayes. I am a 32 year old trainer / motivator. For the past 5 years I have been the sole owner / operator of the Bay Area's best unknown mobile training business...Constant Elevation PT. I have worked with clients throughout the Bay Area (from Napa to San Jose) that range from general population clients looking to lose weight & burn body fat, to athletes and CEO's who are looking to increase their effectiveness in their respective arenas. As a functional trainer, I specialize in reconditioning people from the inside-out. I believe in the transference of energy and the proven science of exercise. My intention is to redefine the way that we percieve exercise (life) and personal trainers (preventative health care specialists). Today we are in the midst of not one, but several health epidemics...obesity, diabetes, and the number one killer of us all...heart disease. As a society we have effectively abandoned sound / tested / proven training techniques for great marketing. We have fallen in love with the illusion of monetary "wealth" and we have lost the truth that derives from true wealth (optimal health). What I provide my clients with is a clear path to discovering their own truth. For me...fitness is the foundation for everything that we do in life. When we exercise most of us aim to enhance our physical strength & increase our cardiovascular capacity. Whether you realize it or not, when you exercise you also stimulate the neurons in your brain. This means that you litterally function at a higher level when you exercise. With that said, my Elev8d training program emphasizes conscious movement. Their are six primary components in the Elev8d training program that ensure that my clients achieve their fitness goals and more importantly; learn how to yield optimal and sustainable results...Psychology, Optimal Food Intake, Proper Supplementation, Resistance Training, Cardiovascular Training, and Flexibilty. I utilize an integrated training approach that includes pilates, yoga, traditional strength training, high intensity circuit training, plyometrics, interval training and more. Not unlike Buddhism, I believe that there are many different paths to the same solution. What is most imporant is that we learn how to maximize our efforts every single time we train by using the tools that we have already been provided. We are ALL massive compilations of atoms...sources of infinite potential energy! I believe that our purpose is to learn how to harness our own infinite potential energy, so that we can function at our greatest potential and fulfill our purpose. Whether your purpose is to be a professional athlete, the next president or just to be the strongest, sexiest person around, I will provide you with all of the tools that you need to not only achieve your goals effectively, but also to become self -sufficient. Constant Elevatin: personal training for people that understand the value of optimal health.
-Rance

Now ladies (aww who are we kidding, and men for that matter!) calm down and keep it sexy; he's married. In fact he's a true family man. But not the shlubby, inner-tube waisted, soccer daddy type (not that there is ANYthing wrong with shlubby, inner-tube waisted, soccer daddy types- I mean I know and love many. You know what I say, there's a lid for every pot...), not by a mile! As you can see, Rance practices what he preaches and walks his talk, ooor something like that, whatev, you get the idea. And, now he's here to help give you some pointers on how you might be FG fantastic like him! I will, of course hit him up as often as possible and try to squeeze as many nuggets of information out of him on how to achieve buns-o-steel, washboard abs, toned and tight arms, etc etc etc- because, lets face it, as much as we may tell ourselves otherwise, nothing feels as good as when we are comfortable in our own skin. And, really, how can anyone be confortable in skin thats just too big or too small for them? So, here's to the rapidly appraoching end of 2009 and bodies that dont fit us AND... my Christmas abs, cheers!

-J